According to administrative sources at the university, The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE) has voted to grant the school full accreditation, for a period of seven years, in the first instance, pending the next evaluation in and site visit in 2018.
As a result of the AVMA accreditation, graduates from RUSVM will now be able to sit for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the U.S. or Canada without first completing a special foreign graduate examination.
Dean of the university, David J. DeYoung, DVM, said that achieving AVMA accreditation, further affirms their commitment to excellence in veterinary education. We are pleased with the decision of the accrediting board and look forward to working with other AVMA accredited schools and our affiliate clinical partners in the U.S. to advance the future of veterinary education, said Dean DeYoung.
Meanwhile, the president of Ross University, Thomas C. Sheppard said that receiving AVMA accreditation is a significant milestone for the School and reflects years of collaborative planning and development among our veterinary leadership team, the faculty and the staff of the University.
The president said that “We are proud to receive this recognition of our commitment to the quality standards set by the AVMA and will continue to support robust development of the Ross University veterinary program. Our guiding principle has been and continues to be academic excellence.”
The AVMA, through the Council on Education, is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the accrediting agency for colleges/schools of veterinary medicine in the U.S.
RUSVM aligned research to enhance student education and play a more dynamic role in its program. The School also significantly increased the size of its faculty and staff, introduced new courses, such as communication and clinical skills, and integrated clinical competency training throughout the curriculum. Additional facilities were constructed to support the program development, including infrastructure upgrades, construction of new buildings and renovation of existing space.
In addition, the Ross University Veterinary Teaching Hospital received accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association, the first teaching hospital to achieve this status outside the U.S. and Canada.
Ross University is a provider of medical and veterinary education, offering doctor of medicine and doctor of veterinary medicine degree programs. It was founded in 1982.